Education

Recently on the AHE email list there were a few homeschool moms expressing doubts and indecisions regarding homeschooling. One member kindly suggested that they read the articles on the AHE Website and AHE Handbook. Here is my response, plus a lot more…

While I know that you will be encouraged by reading the resources offered through The Adventist Home Educator, I want to refer you to a higher authority, a mother, author and speaker who was given messages from God, especially for us, Ellen G. White.

Every winter I re-read the book Education by Ellen G. White. I used to do this in August just before starting our school year, but August became so busy with camp meeting and camping that I started doing this in January when I have more time to contemplate the wisdom between the pages of this incredible book. This book has been the biggest influence in both our homeschooling experience and in my writings for homeschool families. I wore out two paperback copies before purchasing a hardback copy that is now very underlined, marked up and well-read.

This quote is from the first page. “Our ideas of education take too narrow and too low a range. There is need of a broader scope, a higher aim. True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.” Page 13

I encourage every mother who calls, writes or emails me with homeschool questions to first and foremost, before reading anything else, read Education. It will totally and forever change your view of the way your children should be educated.

In Education we learn God’s original plan for education of Adam and Eve in the garden. “The system of education instituted at the beginning of the world was to be a model for man throughout all aftertime.” Page 20 God had a plan for educating Israel in the wilderness, “Precious were the lessons taught to Israel during their sojourn at Sinai…What an industrial school was that in the wilderness, having for its instructors Christ and His angels!” Pages 34-37 The schools of the prophets were started because “Fathers and mothers in Israel became indifferent to their obligation to God, indifferent to their obligation to their children.” Page 45

“Sacred history presents many illustrations of the results of true education.” Page 51. The examples of the Bible personalities and the lessons taught in their situations gives us many examples of true education. Note that many of the mothers only had 8-12 years to train their children.

In the chapters “The Teacher Sent from God” and “An Illustration of His Methods” we are shown how Jesus was taught and how He taught the disciples, giving us an example on how to teach our children. “The most complete illustration of Christ’s methods as a teacher is found in His training of the twelve first disciples.” Page 84

Parts of Education show us how to direct our children to God through nature. “Let the child from his earliest years be placed where this wonderful lesson book shall be open before him.” Pages 100-101

There are chapters on how to use the Bible as a resource in history. “The Bible is the most ancient and the most comprehensive history that men possess.” Page 173 Biographies, poetry, business principals, science and math and other subjects are also a large part of this book.

You will also find counsel on recreation, manual training, temperance, dress and Sabbath keeping.

The infamous quote “For the first eight or ten years of a child’s life the field or garden is the best schoolroom, the mother the best teacher, nature the best lesson book.” can be found on page 208.

Another favorite quote is found on page 212 "The true teacher can impart to his pupils few gifts so valuable as the gift of his own companionship." This goes along with how Jesus taught (p.84). There is no more important way to impart knowledge and values as spending time with our children.

In this book there is direct instruction for us “the underteacher,” “The child’s first teacher is the mother.” Page 275 along with specific instruction on training. “One of the first lessons a child needs to learn is the lesson of obedience.” Page 287 And disciplining my children for Heaven “the school of the hereafter.” Any and every aspect of education is explored in this special book.

Spend time reading Education for yourself. You’ll receive a very special blessing from spending time in the Spirit of Prophecy. You’ll find affirmation of your decision to educate your children at home, and strength and encouragement to continue doing what God has called you to do – “Teach them diligently to your children.”

My prayer for you is that God will richly bless you as you seek His will regarding the education of your precious children. ~Judy

~ Home ~ AHE Handbook ~ Resources ~ Meet the Shewmakes ~ Contact Information ~ Seminars & Consultation ~ Questions & Answers ~ Legal Information ~ E-mail List ~ Articles ~ Ministries & Businesses ~ Order Form ~ Contact ~